Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold spoiled for choice to replace Matt Jurman
GRAHAM Arnold has been offered at least 20 players who can replace defender Matt Jurman as he weighs up whether or not to dip into the transfer market.
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GRAHAM Arnold says he’s been offered at least 20 players who can replace defender Matt Jurman, with the Sydney FC coach weighing up whether or not to dip into the transfer market.
Jurman, one of the Sky Blues’ best players over the past three seasons, has left for South Korean club Suwon Bluewings.
Rhys Williams is one of the players Arnold is said to be considering bringing in as a replacement, but he is equally happy with his current stocks.
“At this moment we’ve got a very good combination in Seb Ryall and Alex Wilkinson. They’ve played eight games together and only conceded one goal, so we’re very comfortable at this moment,” Arnold said.
“We’re happy for Matty that he’s achieved a life changing experience, that he’s going to Korea — it will set him up for the rest of his life. He’s been wonderful for this club. We’ve got a visa spot open and we’ve probably got at this moment 20 players put forward, current internationals for European nations.
“We’ve got the money in the cap, with (Vedran) Janjetovic and Matty Jurman leaving, it’s opened up a good amount in the salary cap to bring in a top central defender if need be.”
Despite the loss of Jurman and the absence of suspended captain Alex Brosque this weekend, Arnold insists that won’t slow Sydney down.
In fact the Sky Blues coach is expecting his team to put in their “best away performance of the season” when they travel to Gosford on Sunday to play the Central Coast Mariners.
It helps too that Sydney are so familiar with the Central Coast.
“It’s like a second home game for us,” Arnold said.
“We’ve played there, we’ve worked there, but I also know the fans love the people that have been there — myself and the players who have played there. We had a lot of success and we gave them a lot to cheer for.
“When you have the belief in the group and the togetherness, miracles can happen. I have a huge amount of belief in this playing group and I know they have belief and trust in each other. I’m expecting our best away performance of this season this week.”
Bernie Ibini is expected to come in for Brosque, but Arnold says he is spoiled for choice.
“Bernie Ibini, David Carney, George Blackwood. Bernie has come on — he’s fit, he’s ready. It’s taken time to get him where he’s at today, but we’ve seen what he can do,” Arnold said. “Last week it was great to see he had to fight for the last 20 minutes when he came on and did a lot of defensive work.”
Arnold also reiterated his belief that Sydney can remain unbeaten for the remainder of the season.
“There’s no reason why we can’t go through the whole season like this,” he said. “The frightening thing is that we’re probably still sitting at 60 per cent.
“The team is only functioning at 60 or 70 per cent of its capability and the individuals know that.”
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